Hawaiian Airlines: Cheap Flights

Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer program is HawaiianMiles

• Join online, or call to sign up
• Immediate benefit: checked bags for flights within Hawaii cost much less

Pualani Gold

• If you fly 20,000 miles or at least 30 segments on Hawaiian Airlines in a calendar year, you’ll have Pualani Gold status for the rest of that year and all of the next
• Gold members receive 2 complimentary checked bags with every fare, a complimentary entertainment tablet, complimentary extra comfort or preferred seat (if available), and earn 50% more miles on every flights

Pualani Platinum

• If you fly 40,000 miles or at least 60 segments on Hawaiian Airlines in a calendar year, you’ll have Pualani Platinum status for the rest of that year and all of the next
• Platinum members can check up to 3 bags with every flight, first-class check in, class upgrades, and you earn 100% more miles on every flight

If you’re 5000 miles or less under a status, you can top them off by purchasing to reach Gold or Platinum status.

Redeem miles with award tickets on Hawaiian Airlines – and on Hawaiian Airlines’ partners, too.  You can also use your miles for hotels, rental cars, magazines and newspapers, or simply give them away.

Check in is simple.  24 hours before departure, you can check in online (and with web checkin you can prepay baggage fees).  In Honolulu, you can even do a drive-in check-in.  You can use a kiosk at the airport.  And, you can always check in at a counter – which you must do if your journey has special circumstances, such as traveling with pets.

Seat Assignments and Leg Room:

Seat width and pitch depend on the aircraft and the class. 

• ATR- 42: Coach – width 17 inches, pitch 31 inches
• Airbus 321neo: First Class - width 18 inches, pitch 45-46 inches; Extra Comfort – width 17.3 inches, pitch 36-37 inches; Economy – width 17.3 inches, pitch 31-32 inches
• Airbus 330-200 v1: First Class - width 19.5-20.5 inches, pitch 45-46 inches; Extra Comfort – width 18 inches, pitch 36 inches; Economy – width 16.5-18 inches, pitch 31-32 inches
• Airbus 330-200 v2: First Class - width 19.5-20.5 inches, pitch 76 inches (becomes a bed); Extra Comfort – width 18 inches, pitch 36 inches; Economy – width 16.5-18 inches, pitch 31-32 inches
• Boeing 717-200: First Class - width 18.5 inches, pitch 37 inches; Economy – width 18 inches, pitch 30-31 inches
• Boeing 767-300ER: First Class - width 18.5 inches, pitch 42 inches; Economy – width 18 inches, pitch 32 inches

You can purchase a Preferred Seat for a small additional fee.  The one-way fee for flights to neighbor islands cost $10; the one-way fee for flights to North America cost $50.  Different fees apply for international travel.

You should be able to select your seat up to 24 hours before departure.

Hawaiian Airlines: Carry-on Bags

• 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches (includes wheels and handles) and a weight no greater than 25 lbs. (11 kg.)
• A personal item that fits below the seat before you
• If greater than this, must be checked before security. Gate check is permitted only for car seats, strollers and wheelchairs.

Hawaiian Airlines Checked Bags

• Fees for checked bags depend on your destination and your fare.
• Each bag should weigh not more than 50 pounds and not have total dimensions greater than 62 inches.
• International and First Class: first two checked bags (normal size, normal weight) are complimentary
• First bag for those traveling economy either between Hawaiian Islands or to/from North America: $25
• Second bag for those traveling economy either between Hawaiian Islands or to/from North America: $25
• Third bag for everyone: between islands ($50); to/from North America ($100); international ($150)
• Checked bags cannot be paid for in advance but must be paid for when you check in

Checking surfboards and other equipment

• Surfboards and other sporting equipment may be checked if properly packed (in a bag)
• Items will not be transported if they weigh more than 50 pounds
• Maximum length is 131 inches between islands; all other flights the maximum length is 115 inches
• Fees vary by destination: $35 between islands; $100 to/from North America; $150 for several international destinations

In-Flight Entertainment Tablets are available on flights between Hawaii and North America with plenty to amuse: movies, TV shows, games and ten hours of battery life.  Complimentary for those in business or first class, and available for a fee (credit card only) for those in economy.

Dining options are designed to give your taste buds the experience of the islands and the meals are complimentary.  If you want a vegetarian option, contact Hawaiian Airlines at least 48 hours before departure; the same is true if you want a meal for a child.  Also, you can always bring your own food if you have particular needs or preferences.

Children twenty-four months and under

• May travel on the lap of an adult (15 year or older) passenger OR in a rear-facing child seat/restraint system
• If less than 7 days, need a letter of approval from doctor
• Need proof of age, such as passport or copy of birth certificate
• Lap children travel free between islands and to North America; travel for 10% of adult fare for international flights
• Lap children are not entitled to extra baggage allowance, except for a car seat/restraint system and a collapsible stroller (items may be in cabin or checked)
• Child seats, if from the US and from 1986 or later, should have two labels in red, one stating that it conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards and a second stating that it is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft. If from outside the US the child seat/restraint must meet United Nations standards and bear their label.
• Rear-facing restraint systems may be used for children as long as you have purchased a seat for your child and notified Hawaiian Airlines in advance (although they’ll try to accommodate you if you don’t). Rear-facing restraint systems may not be used in aisle seats, exit rows, or rows directly before/after exit rows.

Children two years and older must have their own seats.  The fare for a child (age 2-11) depends on destination.  Within Hawaii and to/from North America, regular fares; international and to Pago/Papeete, 75% and 67%, respectively.

Unaccompanied Minor Service

• Children under 5 may never travel alone.
• Domestic flight: A passenger is an unaccompanied minor if between ages 5 and 11 and without a companion in same compartment 15 years or older.
• International flight: A passenger is an unaccompanied minor if between ages 5 and 11 and without a companion in same compartment 18 years or older. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted on international flights.
• A passenger between 12 and 18 may travel alone or with a single parent. If traveling with just one parent, may require additional documentation for international flights.
• Please contact Hawaiian Airlines for more information.

Hawaiian Airlines understands that your animals are part of your ‘ohana (family) and welcomes them aboard.  Some restrictions, to safeguard your pets, the other passengers, and even other animals, apply.

Hawaii has no rabies.

No matter how you wish to transport your animal, please alert Hawaiian Airlines at least 48 hours before your departure.

For flights within the state of Hawaii, you need not provide a health certificate.  For flights to/from North America you need a health certificate not greater than 14 days old for the initial journey, and less than 30 days old for the return journey. Other destinations may have other requirements.

Pets in the Cabin

• Carriers must be no larger than 16 x 10 x 9.5 inches
• Carriers must be soft-sided
• The carrier must be large enough for the animal to move comfortably
• The weight of the animal plus the carrier may not be greater than 25 pounds
• Passengers with a pet may not sit in the bulkhead, in emergency rows or in rows next to emergency rows
• Pets in the cabin are not accepted in the First Class cabin on all North America flights as well as additional flights

Pets as Checked Baggage

• You must check in using the counter, so that the kennel, the animal, and the paperwork can be inspected
• You should check in an hour earlier than general check in.
• Pets may not be checked if they are short-nosed, as these animals may have difficulties breathing. Cat breeds include Burmese, Exotic shorthair, Himalayan and Persian.  Dog breeds include boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese and many others.
• Pets may not be checked on international flights or on flights to/from New York City.
• During the hotter months (April 15 through October 15), pets may not be checked on flights to/from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Jose.

Service Animals

• Service animals are permitted on Hawaiian Airlines flights but there are some restrictions.
• If the service of the animal is not evident, documentation may be required.
• Service animals need to be in a place that does not block the aisle. A passenger may purchase an extra seat for their animal.
• Service animals may be refused if they are unusual or exhibit threatening behavior
• Service animals are prohibited on flights of more than eight hours unless a way can be provided for them to relieve themselves
• Make arrangements with Hawaiian Airlines at least 72 hours before departure, and arrive for check in at least an hour before the usual time.
• Service animals are subject to the same health requirements imposed by Hawaii, especially for entrance into Hawaii.